Abstract
Rice fields are one of the most important and extensive agroecosystems in the world. In Europe, Italy is a major rice producer, with a significant proportion of the yield originating from a vast area within the Po Valley. In this study, we investigated the impact of adopting winter flooding (an established practice in Asia, but novel to Northern Italy) on the biodiversity, abundance, and functional organisation of aquatic invertebrate communities. In particular we attempt to: (i) describe and compare the biodiversity of aquatic invertebrates in the study area, (ii) assess how winter submergence affects the structural and functional composition of aquatic invertebrate communities (iii) provide recommendations to increase the sustainable management of rice fields. Preliminary results suggest that maintaining water in intensive agricultural areas during the cold season could serve as a substitute for lost natural wetlands and enhance local biological and functional diversity. Indeed, although our study pointed out that winter flooding does not lead to a significant increase in the richness and abundance of invertebrate communities, this practice can be potentially useful since flooded rice fields host a community that would otherwise disappear and which plays an important role in both spring recolonization and organic matter decomposition.